Mother files lawsuit in death of SIU student

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Mother files lawsuit in death of SIU student

The mother of a Southern Illinois University student who was found dead in February has filed a lawsuit. Lovely Varughese says her son was beaten to death by someone who gave him a ride after a party.

The Jackson County Coroner’s office said 19-year-old Pravin Varughese died of hypothermia, with no signs of foul play. But an autopsy paid for by the family found evidence of four blows to the face and head.

The lawsuit charges that an Illinois state trooper stopped to talk with a driver on the night Varughese went missing. The driver said he’d given a ride to someone who wandered off into the woods.

Police say the student was found dead in a wooded area 6 days later.

The driver was not arrested or charged.

The lawsuit seeks $1 million from the driver. It’s also seeking money from the city of Carbondale and its police chief, Jody O’Guinn.